Keep Paradise Plastic Free

Australians dispose of 4 billion plastic bags a year. The average bag is used for 12 minutes but takes 1000 years to break up. Plastic bags in the environment are detrimental to birds, marine animals and ecosystems, as well as human health and the economy.

Plastic Free Douglas is asking Retailers to lead by example by promoting alternatives to plastic shopping bags. If your business can commit to being disposable plastic bag free we want you to become an ambassador by registering with Plastic Free Douglas, and display your eco-credentials with our Proudly Plastic Bag Free shop sticker and share your tips in our online promotions.

Plastic Free Douglas is asking individuals to join the growing number of Australians who avoid disposable plastic bags by bringing their own reusable bag or basket or using cardboard boxes for their purchases. Learn how to make your stall or event plastic-free! A new brochure produced by Council with Plastic Free Douglas has eco-friendly advice for event organisers and stall holders who want to reduce the impact of plastic on our world heritage environment. How to keep your event eco-friendly provides information about a range of alternatives to single-use plastic. Downloadyour brochure or visit Council offices.

Over 21 million tons of waste go to our already limited landfill spaces in Australia every year.

What does it mean to go plastic free?

Living entirely plastic free is possible and an interesting challenge, but not feasible for most people.

However, the biggest environmental concern is posed by single use items such as plastic packaging, bottles, bags or straws.

Eradicating these products from your life or replacing them with durable and eco-friendly alternatives is a matter of habit rather than a compromise in quality and convenience.

Waste that doesn’t exist will not be a problem. Plastic you don’t own won’t make you sick. Things you will throw away (packaging, single use products) won’t cost you money if you don’t buy them in the first place.

It’s time to leave the throw-away-society. Let’s start with plastic bags!

Saying “no” to plastic bags is easy. European countries have lived without free plastic shopping bags for decades. South Australia followed suit in 2009 and the Northern Territory in 2011.

Tips for shop owners

Lead by example in the Douglas Shire by reducing or removing plastic bags from your shop.

Your benefits when going “bag free”

Make your business stand out and use your decision as an excellent marketing opportunity – “proudly plastic bag free”.

Reduce your operating costs by reducing the use of disposable bags.

You will be surprised how many customers approve of your decision.

“How to” go plastic bag free

Install signage and information leaflets for your customers.

Ask customers to bring reusable bags.

Only offer a bag if the customer asks for one.

Switch to paper or corn starch bags or introduce a fee.

Offer old cardboard boxes.

Team up with other retailers and buy reusable bags in bulk.

Train your staff to become bag-wise.

Don’t be misled by so-called single use alternatives. Degradable bags fall apart faster than conventional plastic bags but remain toxic plastic dust. Biodegradable and compostable bags only break down in ideal conditions, can still do harm until then and can also have toxins added since the terms are not clearly defined.

Tips for consumers

Join the millions of people around the world and in other parts of Australia who live without single-use plastic bags. Here are a few tips to help you out: